Tesla’s Woes in Germany Worsen as April Sales Tumble
Tesla’s decline in the European sector shows no signs of abating in April, with the electric vehicle (EV) leader announcing disappointing sales figures in Germany. As per data from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, or KBA), Tesla sold a mere 885 vehicles in the nation last month—a shocking 45.9% drop compared to April 2024.
This significant downturn comes after a tough beginning to the year for Elon Musk’s enterprise. In April, Tesla disclosed that its first-quarter profit for 2025 had dropped by 71%. Global sales have likewise been on a downward path, with the company attributing widespread protests against both Tesla and CEO Elon Musk as a contributing reason. These demonstrations have been energized by Musk’s political connections and ventures, including his considerable financial backing for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential run and other Republican nominees.
Musk has increasingly become a divisive figure, publicly associating himself with far-right beliefs and taking an active part in Trump’s contentious DOGE initiative. This initiative has resulted in significant cuts to federal services and extensive layoffs among government workers. In Germany, Musk has further fueled controversy by openly supporting the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, facing backlash from across the political landscape.
It is important to mention that these latest April statistics fall within Tesla’s second fiscal quarter, meaning the poor performance has yet to be captured in the company’s latest earnings report. Nevertheless, the data implies that Tesla’s financial difficulties are far from resolved.
What adds to the severity of Tesla’s decline is that it occurs during a broader upswing in EV adoption throughout Germany. The country experienced a 53.5% year-over-year rise in new electric vehicle registrations in April. While Tesla’s figures dropped, Chinese EV producer BYD enjoyed considerable success, selling 1,566 vehicles in Germany last month alone. BYD’s total sales for 2025 in the nation now amount to 2,791.
In contrast, Tesla has sold just 5,820 vehicles in Germany thus far this year—a 60.4% decline compared to the same timeframe in 2024.
With competition ramping up and public perception shifting, Tesla encounters increasing obstacles in one of Europe’s critical automotive markets.